Lightened Up Polish Cucumber Salad (Mizeria)

Food, family, and memory are inextricably tied when you come from a family like mine- where food was a central component to every birthday, every holiday, every chance possible. This recipe for creamy Polish cucumber salad is completely tied to my Uncle Fred Swiderski. Now, I thought it was called Polish Cucumbers because my Uncle Fred loved them and he is Polish. Little did I know that Mizeria or Polish Cucumber Salad is a pretty big deal in Poland.

Mizeria literally translates to misery because Polish peasants invented the dish and the upper class referred to them as “The Miserable Ones”. There is nothing at all miserable about this fabulous cucumber salad. My love for this salad reaffirms my belief that peasant food is the best food.

Joshua and I eat Polish cucumber salad at least once a week in the summer when cucumbers are abundant and local- a perfect picnic dish, a refreshing side, or a great little lunch. I’ve lightened things up by choosing low fat Greek yogurt rather than sour cream. You can certainly use sour cream or even crème fraiche for a treat.

Another way I’ve strayed from my original family recipe is to use Gourmet Garden Herbs and Spices in place of the fresh. I’ve used the dill paste and the lightly dried chives. Dill is an essential component to this cucumber salad and I can’t imagine eating this without the bright fresh punch of dill. Since I don’t use dill very often, it’s not an herb I grow. It’s also an herb with a short shelf life, and I hate food waste. I always have a tube of the Gourmet Garden Dill on hand because when you need dill in a recipe, there is really no other substitute. OH, and if you can get Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Chives in your neck of the woods, RUN do not walk. I put these on everything. They might be my favorite kitchen time saver in the whole wide world!

This week is my Uncle Fred’s birthday. I believe this is his 96th year. Although he’s been unwell for a couple of months, he is one of the strongest, kindest, funniest men I’ve ever known and I hope he’ll be back to health soon. Known around town for building a wall of boulders in his 80s, randomly rescuing the king and queen of Thailand in his boat, and singing a rousing rendition of “The Night They Invented Champagne” this guy is incredible. Loved and admired by EVERYONE who ever met him is the best way I can describe my Uncle Fred. Here’s to feeling better. Love you, Uncle Fred!

I grew up on a version of this salad, but I haven’t made it in years. I love the idea of swapping in Greek yogurt for the sour cream. Thanks so much for the little history lesson this salad – I had no idea.